Long before she became one of the world’s most celebrated entertainers, Pop force Rihanna– like many an aspiring singer before and after her- found herself frequenting the stages of many a talent contest in a bid to flaunt her skills to anyone willing to pay attention.

Now check out this Throwback Footage of the ‘Music Of The Sun‘ beauty performing Mariah Carey‘s ‘Hero’ at a talent contest less than a year before she was signed to Island Def Jam by on/off mentor Jay Z and X Factor USA judge LA Reid, below…

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Once band-members, then legal foes, Kelly Rowland and LaTavia Roberson have quite the the seasoned backstory.

However, as the age-old adage goes, time heals heals even deepest of wounds. Something Robertson’s recent comments about her former Destiny’s Child cohort highlights.

The 29 year old also had quite ‘interesting’ comments about the group’s former manager, Beyonce‘s father Mathew Knowles.

A lengthy read, yet a great one.

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The sassy Saturdays recently revealed the title of their third studio album, ‘On Your Radar’; the striking cover for which was unveiled today.

Given the group’s continued success and heightened profile, the album’s title is quite apt. ‘Radar’ hits stores on November 21st.

Peep its tracklist below…

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She’s as stiff as a statue, so it’s little surprise Rihanna has been rewarded with a new wax-work at Madame Tussauds London.

Unfortunately, the model (as with all those featured at the famed museum) was made with painstaking diligence and attention to detail, hence couldn’t keep up with the 23 year old’s latest hair do.

Still, a great work of art – even if her talent and music aren’t.

Randomness: Notice how Ms. Fenty stands front centre in front of Britney and GaGa? I guess that’s the only place that’ll ever happen.

Your thoughts?

Last night, the identities of the final 16 acts to make it  through to the X Factor 2011 live shows were announced , much to the delight of many of the show’s loyal fans.

However, and as is to be expected, not everyone was so pleased with some of the choices made,

In particular- the decision to take lead the  singer of  the group ‘The Keys‘ and place him in rival group ‘The Risk‘ at the expense of fan favorite Marlon Mckenzie, who was placed in the latter group during the audition stages after failing to make it through as a solo act.

Now we want you to weigh in, do you think the judges made the right decision and if not- who would you have put through?

Find out who made the cut and chime in below…

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Love her or hate her, one cannot deny that when Rihanna flaunts her true talent – silence – it cannot be ignored.  A testament to that, the Barbadian beauty can now be seen striking quite the diva poses as she models for November issue of Brit’s version of Vogue magazine (on stands October 6).

And, with ‘We Found Love’ finding itself on the way to the top of Itunes and Billboard singles charts alike, music lovers should beware that such silence will be short-lived as promo for the project will soon be in full swing.  Roll on November 21st!

More Riri below (thanks to Prettier than Perez):

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‘Price Tag’ performer Jessie J has learned her foot injury has come with the price of a lifelong battle with arthritis.  Though recently celebrating the removal of the plaster encasement that has held her through painful performances, the British beauty believes her battle with pain will only be uphill in a few years time.

The young songstress, who suffered with cardiac problems and had a minor stroke both before age 20, has had a lifetime of health concerns.  Speaking on her most recent diagnosis with Daily Mirror, Jessie said:

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Fans of Canadian-born emcee Drake can now feast their eyes on his latest serving – the visual for the hit single ‘Headlines’.  The first lifted from his forthcoming sophomore album ‘Take Care’ (October 24), the song has already found itself in Billboard’s Top 30.  But, will the Lamar Taylor-directed visual aid boost Drizzy from its comfortable (two weeks in a row) #23 spot on the charts?

Check out ‘Headlines’ and give us your verdict:

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Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, and Will.I.Am are just a few of the big names helping music icon Sting bring in the big 6-0.  The affair, a charity concert hosted at New York City’s Beacon Theater to benefit the Robin Hood Foundation, also saw the ‘Poker Face’ performer and Mary J. (separately) hit the stage for the night’s honoree.

See the two leading ladies in action after the jump:

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One of R&B’s leading freshmen Miguel found favor on singles charts when his hit ‘Sure Thing’ took off.  While it’s follow-up ‘Quickie’ did not see much of the same success as quickly,  a string of recent promotional treks have found it rebounding on the Hot 100 and R&B singles charts.

Assuredly hoping to give it that extra boost, Miguel has enlisted the skills of supersonic emcee Twista.  Putting a new twist on the R&B joint, are they headed for a hit or should they have left well enough alone?  You be the judge after the jump:

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‘1,2 Step’ singer Ciara was spotted stepping out yet again during this year’s Paris Fashion Week. Donning what is becoming signature dark-attire, the stageblazer enjoyed viewing the spring/summer 2012 fashions at Givenchy’s ready-to-wear with ‘Where You At’ belter Jennifer Hudson.

See more Cici and Jhud below:

Your thoughts?

The second part of  the X-Factor 2011 Judges Houses episode aired a few moments ago. With the pre-recorded stage of the show drawing to a close, all eyes are on who’ll be making it through to the live shows. Check out who made the final cut below.

{For those unfamiliar with The X Factor, the show is the UK’s version of American Idol – with a twist in that groups and over 25’s are eligible to enter. Now in it’s eighth season, the show is responsible for birthing the careers of Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, Cher Lloyd and JLS. Its US incarnation launched earlier this month}

Watch below…

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